Yet again, Arsenal midfielder Alex Song not only helped his team with his strength and determination in midfield but also by finding the back of the net. On target against Chelsea on Monday, the Cameroon International ...

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere believes his new role with the Gunners is helping him improve the defensive aspect of his game. Speaking to the Official Arsenal Magazine, the 18-year old explained how he is enjoying his ...

Yesterdays blog saw some great discussion following the defeat at Old Trafford and SharkeySure picked out a couple of comments that spurred(!) him on to the following rant.

26 May – "it really annoys me to see our players not matching the energetic determination of their opponents"

Mike – "Thirty minutes to go and I see very little urgency or intensity from any of them.

First-half Player of the Season:

1. Samir Nasri (Average Rating: 7.24, Man of the Match 5 times):

You could tell in preseason that Nasri was rested, motivated from his World Cup snub, and generally ready to kick some ass this season.

Not today Drog

If you're wondering about the title, it is a reference to my yesterday's preview on why Arsenal need to beat Chelsea. Nothing about maintaining the gap to Manchester United, nothing about overcoming our recent bout of dire results against them and certainly nothing about shutting John Terry up.

This Arsenal team, eh? They really do put themselves, and us, through the wringer in nearly every game. A hard-fought three points, that I think we just about deserved, but it won't have done anybody's blood pressure any good.

Too often at home we've been guilty of a sluggish start but yesterday was quite the opposite.

Morning all, the start of another week and the preparations have to begin for two extremely important games. Firstly there's the Champions League game against Partizan on Wednesday, then a trip to Manchester on Monday.

The focus will be on Europe this week and the permutations are relatively simple.

"Song is a bit naturally high up because I want him to be." I believe when I read those words from Wenger, my reaction on twitter was "Son of a.....! Wenger no!" I've gotten over my snap reaction from yesterday, but there are still concerns that arise from these comments and also our defensive performances this season.

Bale who?

On a day when the nominees for FIFA's Ballon d'Or is announced, there's a big chance for someone at Arsenal to join that esteemed list next year. Barcelona may have dominated this year's award when they have 3 of their own in the top 3, namely Lionel Messi, Andreas Iniesta and Xavi but might have to sit back and accept that an Arsenal player may just sneak into the list this time next year.

Written by SharkeySure

I started to write this on Sunday evening, and have also read through yesterday's debate without getting the chance to comment much. So now my rambles have been requested by Peaches for a post in Song's defence. I make no apology for the biased reporting and rewriting of recent history that follows.

First against third will take place on Monday when Arsenal travel to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United in what will be a fitting end to an exciting weekend. Arsenal lead United by the slimmest of margins, just a point, due to United missing out on league play last weekend against Blackpool because of extreme weather.

Thursday morning and the inquest into Arsenal's latest big match disappointment rumbles on. Arsenal fans the world over are rightly disappointed that we have now gone 11 games without victory against either United or Chelsea. Whilst I find it difficult to say that you can take positives from any defeat, I do think it's worth noting that we didn't lose in the same manner as we have in many of those 11 games.

It is -9 in Dublin right now. I can't tell you how much this displeases me.

I really, really fail to see the point of -9. Like war, and the county of Leitrim, what is it good for? Absolutely nothing. Good god. Oh yeah. And such. And not a bit of football to warm us up until next Monday. It's like an enforced Interlull but without the bits where our players go away and come back all broken up in various pieces.

Arsenal's understudy, to the impressive Alex Song, is apparently being tracked by Barcelona this has got to be rubbish!

Barcelona are considering a £10million move for Arsenal midfielder Denilson after conceding Cesc Fabregas' price tag could once again spiral beyond their means.

Arsenal's own rare breed

It's Thursday today and still there are another 4 more days to go before Arsenal plays. Time seem to pass slower when there are no matches to be played. Stories are few and far between, at a time when players prefers to spend their time after training with their families in preparation for the upcoming festive season.

Where are they now then, the doubters and doomers, the carpers and cavilers?

There'll be barely a squeak from them today and what little there is will be drowned out by another sound.

Do you hear it?

That low, grinding rumble?

It's the sound of tectonic plates shifting; of seismic change in the English Premier League.

I don't think it's exaggerating to say that last night was Arsenal's best performance of the season. Forget the six goal wins over Blackpool (10 men) and Braga (rubbish). This was an outstanding team performance which made the champions look very ordinary indeed.

I know some people might say that's because they are ordinary but they were double winners last season and despite the slump in form they're going through nobody was casting too many aspersions on them pre-game.

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Remember The Name!

"Terry squares the ball to Malouda, Walcott nicks the ball off him, Fabregas recieves it, Walcott is flying and is played in with an inch perfect pass, first time shot across Cech and its a goal! 3-0 to Arsenal and no one would have predicted this before the match, the Gunners have seen off Chelsea with still most of the second half to go and they are certainly back as title contenders.

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After taking my very small break for Christmas unlike the Arsenal team, I had very little time for the pre-match build up against Chelsea. My day drew to a close minutes before kick off. A more than hectic day at work and I told myself that the reward I was going to get for it, was a win and three points.